An embarrassing win

"Alright, alright," he drawled, his voice carrying over the hushed murmurs of the crowd. "Let's give the boy a chance."

"Show me what you've got."

The crowd leaned in, eager, expectant.

Then he moved.

The moment Loxi moved, it was as if the air itself shifted—one second, he was standing still, and the next, he was a blur of motion. 

His boots barely touched the ground as he dashed forward with lightning speed, his flaming sword carving a bright arc through the air.

Chris's instincts screamed at him to react, but his body was a fraction too slow. 

He barely had time to raise his axe before the fire-lit blade came slicing toward him, heat licking at his skin.

With a desperate grunt, he swung his weapon in a wide arc, aiming to intercept the attack. 

But it was sluggish compared to Loxi's lightning-quick movements.

Loxi was already gone.